Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-01-21
The New Jersey Coalition.

The action of the Democratic members of
the New Jersey assembly (house of repre-
sentatives) has been hardly less unwarrant-
ed and illegal than that of the Democratic
senators in Indiana. The trouble began
week before last on the day of the meeting
of the legislature, when the caucus of Dem
ocratic members assembled and began to
apportion the spoils of office. The country
members found themselves ignored in the
distribution, and three of them left in huff
declaring that they would "bust things,
and this they at once proceeded to do.
Joining with two labor Democrats and the
26 Republican members-elect, a coalition
was formed of 81 members constituting
majority of the assembly.
The members of the coalition then as
sembled in the senate chamber and waited
half an hour after the regular hour for
opening the session from courtesy to the
caucus still holding the assembly room. Fl
nally they proceeded to the great door of
this room, which was fast locked. Obtain
ing entrance at length through side door,
they announced that the time for organic
ing the house had come, and demanded pos
session of the chamber. A fierce wordy al
tercation ensued in the midst Of which the
galleries were cleared at the request of
members from both parties. Some degree
of order had been restored on the floor
when squad of police entered the chamber
and forcibly expelled all the Republican
members elect and most of the press re.
porters.
The members of the last house who hold
over for this session We're allowed to re
main, and one of them rose and demanded
formally that the organization of the house
be proceeded with. This demand was re
fused by the leaders of the caucus, and the
Republican members then retired to the
speakers room, followed by the three Dem
ocratic boilers and the two labor Democrats.
The parchment bearing the oath which the
members-elect are required to sign was in
possession of the coalition, and the seeding
members calmly proceeded to organize
swearing in the 81 members elect and elect
ing officers in due form.
Just as the organization had been com
l
open, and the coalition was notified thai
'you can come in now we are through
The 81 members entered, and the speaker
elect, Mr.. Baird, one of the Democratic
boilers, took the chair. At once a lively
contest took place, some of the caucus Dem
Ocrats attempting to drag him from hi
seat to the floor. For moment free figh
seemed imminent, but a motion to adjourn
was made and carried.
Next day the house met and the legality
of the coalition organization was conceded
by the Democratic members Speaker
Baird took the chair without opposition
Turley, Democratic member-elect from tn,
Camden district was sworn in by vote O
30 to 2S, though it is claimed that gros
fraud was practised in his behalf at tn,
polls. Two Democrats, the speaker an,
Kinney, voted with the Republicans in tn
negative. Walter, Democrat, who hold
the certificate from the second Mercer dis
trict, was barred from his seat by vote o
30 TO 80. The state supreme court has de
cided that there was tie vote in this dis
trict, but the Democrats nevertheless en-
deavored to put Walter in
The political and legal blunders of tn
Democrats in this wrangle are apparent an,
conceded The caucus had no right to ba
out Republican members-elect from the as
sembly room after the usual hour for OF
ganization. The police had no right t
put them out, and Governor Albeit, VIII
directed this expulsion, had no shadow O
legal authorization for so doing. ContrC
of the state house building is by law veste
in the state treasurer when the legislator
is not in session. The proceedings disgrac
the Democratic managers and disgust de
cent men without regard to party.
The Democrats are resorting to desperat
means in their efforts to get a majority i
the Legislature so as to elect their candidat
for United States Senator. From tn
second Mercer district, where the 81
preme court decided that no election too
place, they have voted in the Democrat
contestant, Mr. Walter. The proceeding
ON Wednesday, when this high-handed az
8 ton took place, were fairly riotous. linn,
diately afterward an adjournment for
p week was carried. With Mr. Walters vot
the Democrats now have 81 votes out of g
in the house. and their nine votes in tn
senate gives them 40 in all for the Unite
number necessary 10 elect. They expe,
TO get the needed one from the labor COZ
tingent.